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Over 40 years of expert care

Best UK Group & 5 star reviews

Nationwide Clinics

Award winning treatment plans

What is the difference between laser piles treatment and radio frequency treatment for piles and haemorrhoids

Laser Piles Surgery vs Radiofrequency Treatment for Piles and Haemorrhoids

A Haemorrhoidectomy is a surgical procedure performed under general anaesthetic to remove haemorrhoids. There are three main methods of performing a haemorrhoidectomy:

Laser Haemorrhoid Surgery is a type of closed haemorrhoidectomy . A closed haemorrhoidectomy is when the surgeon removes the haemorrhoid using either a scalpel, scissors, electrocautery, or laser before the wound is then closed.

Laser surgery for piles uses a narrow laser beam to shrink or remove the affected haemorrhoid from the inside out.  The laser fibre is placed into the middle of each haemorrhoid which causes them to return to their normal size.

The laser fibre also seals in the blood tissues and vessels which greatly reduces the risk of blood loss and infection.

The procedure is generally performed under anaesthetic, but our expert surgeons can discuss with you whether a general anaesthesia, a spinal epidural, or a local anaesthetic is suitable based on your situation.

The recovery time following laser haemorrhoid surgery is a lot less than traditional surgery as you will not require stitches which can be uncomfortable and take around a month to heal.

Most patients following laser surgery are back to their usual activities within 1-2 weeks.

Rafaelo procedure is the radio frequency ablation of haemorrhoid or piles under local anaesthetic. The minimally invasive procedure can be performed in-clinic and only takes around 15 minutes to complete. There is minimal chance of recurrence and patients are able to return to their daily activities immediately.

The treatment involves a small probe being inserted into the anus which then emits radio frequency heat energy which reduces blood flow to the area and causes them to shrink. This does not affect any surrounding blood vessels or bowel/ function. Performed under local anaesthetic, patients will be pain-free throughout the procedure. No incisions or stitches are as once the haemorrhoids clear, a mucous membrane will cover the area.

The recovery time following Rafaelo treatment for is very quick with many patients being able to return to daily activities within a week.

Rafaelo for haemorrhoids/piles is not the same as Laser piles surgery.

The Rafaelo uses state of the art Radiofrequency to treat haemorrhoids and is under local anaesthetic in-clinic.

Laser piles may require general anaesthetic and will need to be carried out in a hospital theatre. The treatment uses laser fibre to remove haemorrhoids.

The biggest difference between open piles surgery and laser piles surgery is how the procedure is finished.

If having open piles surgery, the haemorrhoids will be surgically removed from the body usually by a scalpel. The or wound will be left open to heal naturally.

Laser piles surgery involves using laser specifically to remove the haemorrhoids and the wound is then closed with a suture if .

We have a team of expert haemorrhoid surgeons at The Clinic.

provides consultations and treatment at our and Manchester clinics. He consults for all types of haemorrhoids and can perform radiofrequency treatment in clinic or advise on alternative treatments.

provides consultations at our clinic in London Harley Street. He is able to provide treatment for all types of and other issues including fissures and skin tags. Rafaelo treatments can be performed in clinic but laser haemorrhoid surgery or other types of haemorrhoidectomy procedures would be carried out at our privately owned London hospital located on Fitzroy Square.

An advantage of laser surgery piles is that the recovery time following the procedure is relatively pain free in comparison to haemorrhoidectomy .

There will be some discomfort one 1-3 days the procedure which can be managed with painkiller medication and rest. Many patients can resume their regular life within 2 weeks.

We advise that it can take around 6 weeks for you to fully heal piles laser surgery. At this stage you will visit your surgeon for your follow-up appointment to assess your results.

The recovery time for patients who have had Rafaelo treatment is around 1 week. Each case will be different depending on the severity of the haemorrhoids treated but in most cases, patients return to work 1-2 days following treatment.

Laser surgery for piles is an effective treatment method for piles and has a great success rate.

The downside is that is required general anaesthetic which can increase recovery time.

At our clinic in London Harley Street and Birmingham, we prioritise, where suitable, Rafaelo treatment which instead uses radiofrequency. This treatment can be performed in-clinic under local anaesthetic and has a reduced recovery time and 90% rate.

However, if you are for treatment then laser piles surgery is a great alternative.

The cost of haemorrhoidectomy with laser treatment starts from £3,750.

Rafaelo radio frequency for piles prices start from £3,150.

The costs will vary on the type of procedure being performed and whether general anaesthetic, local anaesthetic or sedation is used.

Our Consultant Colorectal surgeons will be able to confirm these details following your consultation and a more accurate quote for your treatment costs will be provided.

The symptoms of can vary from patient to depending on the severity of them. But for many, they cause a great deal of discomfort which has led them to seeking treatment.

At around 6 weeks post procedure, patients express feeling relieved from their symptoms of haemorrhoids.

The results from a study of laser haemorrhoid surgery concluded that the laser treatment of haemorrhoids was effective in pain alleviation and that patients have a much more comfortable course in comparison to open haemorrhoidectomy procedures. [1]

At The Private Clinic, we would always our radio frequency haemorrhoid treatment as we believe it is effective solution for patients with haemorrhoids who do not want surgery.

treated with Rafaelo treatment are treated under local anaesthetic, have minimal downtime in comparison to surgery and have a very high 88% success rate. [2]

"I have had a very positive experience at The Private Clinic Harley Street. I had previously visited a private hospital in Great Missenden and been told I would need a hemorrhoidectomy surgery which can be extremely painful and probably a very long recovery.

I have chronic pain so I was very anxious about the prospect of having this surgery. I visited Mr Nastro who put me at ease and offered me a much less intrusive option, something I have never heard of – mucopexy and rafaelo procedure.

My problem was a prolapsing hemorrhoid and other internal smaller hemorrhoids. Mr Nastro was very personable and considering the nature of my problem he made me feel very at ease. Alicia is my patient coordinator and is very helpful and easy to talk to also very personable, as I had several questions after my appointment that I hadn’t asked Me Nastro and she quickly got back to me with any queries, and I even spoke to Mr Nastro on the phone about my questions and anxiety of the procedure.

I was extremely anxious on the day of my procedure and all the staff at the Fitzroy hospital were very reassuring. I arrived at 1.45 and I was able to leave by 6:30 and was given a phone number to call out-of-hours nurse if required. The nurse also called me the following day.

During the first week of my recovery, I was able to speak to a nurse very quickly about worries that I had. I spoke to Bernadette who was very reassuring and a lovely lady which is just what you need! I am 3 and half weeks into my recovery now and Alicia has regularly called me to see if everything is ok. I know that I can speak with a nurse if I need to which is great.

All in all, the procedure was a little painful after but nowhere near as painful as I thought it would be and I actually only had to take paracetamol. Overall, I would definitely recommend The Private Clinic of Harley Street